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Ask a question from your peers to help you in your professional work. Seek different points of view on a topic that interests you. Start a thought-provoking conversation about a hot, current topic. Encourage your peers to join you in the discussion, and feel free to facilitate the discussion. As a community of educators, all members of the Career Ed Lounge are empowered to act as a discussion facilitator to help us all learn from each other.

remebering names

have student sintroduce themselves and let everyone know what they prfer to be called why they have chosen tihs particular course and what they hop to get out of it

instruction style

is it necessary to explain the students very well

instruction style.

is it necessary to always stick to the course content while teaching or is it ok to give examples from our lifetime experiences in addition to the topic, so that they can understand better while teaching?

Note cards

I really liked the idea of having students write down their questions on note cards during the lecture. By collecting the cards at "break time" and reviewing them, I could be better equipped at answering questions when class resumes. I also think this would be helpful for students who may be a bit shy about asking questions.

Soft Skills & Online Learning

Other than respectful, courteous written exchanges, do you have suggestions for modeling soft skills to students engaged in an online program? I currently work in a degree program that demands a great deal of interaction between students and clients. I'm really interested in your experience with integrating professional, verbal skills into an online environment. Thank you.

first day of class

intros create a comfort zone and provide an opportunity for the student to not only be part of ....but have 'ownership' in the success of the class

Text

It appears to be more difficult to find appropriate updated textbooks for a few topical areas. Textbook reps continuallyl ask, "would you be willing to author a new text?"

Open book

Open book tests work good in my class.

most entrance exams

As most entrance exams are written; beyond reading comprehension skills and a bare min knowledge of the subject, what are the real values?

questions

I try very hard to ask questions that realy make the students think. I always like my questions to start a decusion as an answer, this makes more students get involed with the answer.

diffrent approches

I agree that is why it is so important to use diffrent approches to delivering the content of the course that you are teaching.

Why I became an Instructor and a question

I have been teaching for nearly 4 years which would have never happened if it weren't for a college professor during my Public Health courses. She told me that she could envision me teaching one day which I laughed and said I would never teach. She replied that she said the same thing and look where she's at today. One of the reasons I teach (I teach IT courses) is seeing the "light bulb" come on in students minds when they learn something they never knew before. It's really rewarding to see how they develop through the years, however, I was shocked to read in the previous lesson that instructors are supposed to be looked at as mentors or professionals versus peers. Why would we not consider students more as peers, the closer they are to graduating? I have taught a lot of students over the past four years and was able to recommend three of them to my full time place of employment. Is it really that bad to not consider students more as peers the closer they are to graduating? I ask that because when I was in Naval boot camp, the company commander of our group became more of a peer during the last couple of weeks of basic training.

Classroom environment

I like the idea of creating a welcoming, productive environment for your students by evaluating the classroom prior to class. I have found that for certain course topics, the desks should be rearranged or thought-provoking ideas should be presented on the white board as students enter the room. I like the element of surprise when students arrive, to excite them about the course content for that session. Any other ideas or things to look for in the class room prior to class?

signature sheet

plan on adding this to my syllabus. hopefully eliminate the "I did not know that" and encourage students to be in focus with the learning experience.

Learning styles

It still amazes me how instructors fail to vary their instructional styles for the benefit of students. I had a professor in grad school who was considered an expert who would drone on for hours about his subject. It was excrutiating.

Important

I don't think it is possible to underestimate how important it is to be prepared in advance. In addition anything you can do to emphasize the expectations and put students at ease is going to be helpful. Sometimes it can feel like overkill. However, you almost can't over communicate.

Enviornment

How the room is arranged is very important. I always make sure that the adult learner is not looking at someones back. I try to arrange the chairs so that the adult learner are looking at each other. I feel that this increases the class conversation and interaction.

Developing as an instructor

It is good as a new instructor to be prepared. Make sure you are organized for the class a head of time. I also think that it is extremely important to maintain a professional appearence. You will receive more crediablity with your personal apperance. Rember that there is never a second chance to give a first impression.

syllabus

have been using an electronic format with of my culiary school and It works great. You don't have to use any paper and it is available for the students all the time They shouldn't be using the excuse that they don't have the syllabus or what we are cooking

It's so important to learn

It's so important to learn something personal about each student. It makes them feel comfortable in class, and give you a connection. The students know you care when you take time to learn something about them; therefore, they will be more motivated to learn from you.